Exam View: Land record management system in India; The DILRMP scheme goal; The DILRMP scheme completion; The DILRMP scheme components

Context: A comprehensive land record management system will help resolve long pending arbitration cases and boundary-related disputes amicably, thus reducing the burden on the judiciary and the administration.

Background:

• It is important to develop a modern, comprehensive and transparent land record management system, especially in India as more than 50 percent of the working population is engaged in agriculture.
• Hence, the government revamped the existing National Land Record Modernisation Programme (NLRMP) by bringing into force, the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP)e.f April 1, 2016, as a Central scheme with 100 percent funding.

Decoding the editorial: The DILRMP scheme

Goal: It was launched to attain commonalities that exist in the arena of land records in various States and develop an integrated system which will

• Provide real-time information on land,
• Optimise use of land resources,
• Assist in policy and planning,
• Reduce land disputes,
• Check fraudulent/benami transactions,
• Obviate the need for physical visits to Revenue/Registration offices,
• Enable sharing of information with various organisations/agencies,
• Facilitate various services such as providing caste, income and domicile certificates, and online information on crop profile, crop insurance and e-linkages to credit facilities/banks.

Completion: The programme is slated to be fully implemented by March 2026, with

• Completion of basic digitisation of Record of Rights (RoRs) and Cadastral Maps;
• Integration of the two;
• Computerisation of Sub Registrar Offices (SROs); and
• Integration of SROs and Revenue Offices by March 2024.

Components:

• A Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar number
  • It has been assigned for a land parcel, which is a 14 digit alphanumeric unique ID based on geo-coordinates.
  • It will serve as a pan-India number for obtaining ownership details of a plot along with its size and geolocation.
  • This will result in standardisation of land records data across the country which will serve multiple purposes, including seamless sharing and cross-validation of land data across sectors/agencies/authorities and preventing duplication of land records.

• National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS)
  • This uniform system has been developed for addressing the diversity prevailing across States with regards to registration of deeds/documents.
  • The major benefits of this system include
    • citizen empowerment through online entry of deed,
    • online payment,
    • online pre-appointment,
    • document search and certified copy generation,
    • decrease in time and cost at Sub-Registrar level,
    • accommodation of all variations/gaps prevailing across the States,
    • SMS and email alerts related to transactions on property, and
    • rule based transparent online valuation with accurate calculation of property cost.
  • The Records of Rights
    • The records have been transliterated in all the 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the Constitution to address the problem of linguistic barriers in land governance in the country.
    • This will enable the government to make informed policy decisions for the benefit of its citizens and will also benefit citizens and stakeholders, especially potential start-ups, investors and industry.

Source:https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/digitisation-of-land-records-is-hugely-beneficial/article66863067.ece/amp/

In News: Government amends rules to bring International Credit Card spending outside India under the ambit of LRS.

About Credit Card spends in Abroad:

• It refers to using credit cards for making payments outside of one's home country.
• Previously, the usage of international credit cards for expenses during trips abroad was not covered under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).
• The Centre has now amended rules under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), bringing international credit card spending outside India under the LRS.
• Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) allows individuals to remit up to US $2,50,000 per year without prior RBI approval.
• From July 1, 2023, spending on international credit cards will attract a higher Tax Collected at Source (TCS) rate of 20%.
• The changes aim to bring parity between international usage of credit and debit cards, which were already part of the LRS.
• The new hanges however do not apply to payments for the purchase of foreign goods/services from India.
• Indians' spending on overseas travel has surged, increasing by 104% in 2022-23 with the transactions using credit cards increased by 32.6% in volume and almost 50% in value during the same period.
• Experts have however raised apprehension that the 20% TCS rate may be too high and could have been lower, possibly around 1-2%.
• As per the government however, the changes in credit card spends for international transactions aims to regulate expenditures and bring uniformity in foreign exchange management.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/credit-card-spends-abroad-tcs-explained-8616200/

In News: Ministry of Commerce & Industry of India and EFTA ministers advances deliberations on Trade and Partnership Agreement (TEPA)

About Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA):

• It is a comprehensive agreement between countries or trade blocs that aims to enhance trade and economic cooperation.

• It seeks to promote the development of integrated and resilient supply chains, facilitating the smooth flow of goods and services between the participating countries.
• It creates new opportunities for businesses and individuals, and boosts job creation all leading to increased trade and investment flows.
• It focuses on achieving a fair, equitable, and balanced agreement, taking into consideration the sensitivities and interests of all participating parties.
• TEPA negotiations factor in many critical issues, including market access, tariffs, intellectual property rights, investment facilitation, and regulatory cooperation.
• The agreement mainly covers sectors including such as agriculture, manufacturing, services, technology, and intellectual property.
• It is in this regard, India, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) have made progress towards formalizing TEPA.
• Once finalized, TEPA implementation can lead to increased trade opportunities, improved business environments, and overall economic benefits for the participating countries.

 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1924139

In News: New WHO report highlights the status of antibiotic treatments to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

About Incentivising the development of new antibacterial treatments 2023:

• It has been released by WHO and the Global AMR R&D Hub for G7 focusing on incentivizing the development of new antibacterial treatments.
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, to develop resistance to the drugs that were previously effective in treating
• Although AMR is, in general, a natural phenomenon, however, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs in humans, animals, and agriculture have accelerated the development of AMR.
• The report follows commitments made by G7 Finance and Health Ministers to expedite the implementation of existing AMR strategies.
• The goal is to address antibiotic market failure, create economic conditions to preserve the effectiveness of existing antibiotics and ensure their access.
• The report highlights the need to strengthen AMR Research and Development and bring novel antibacterial medicines to the market.
• The report emphasizes the need for G7 Health Ministers to pledge to contribute to existing global pooled efforts, such as CARB-X, GARDP, and SECURE.
• As per the findings, access to new and existing antibiotics, including generics, remains a challenge for countries of all income levels.
• The report proposes priority actions to accelerate progress for new antibacterial medicines to tackle the challenge of antibiotic resistance.
• It also encourages alignment and targeted action on financing mechanisms to address the antibiotic R&D and access crisis.
• The aim of the report is to bolster equitable and global access to antibiotics that address the most urgent public health needs.

https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2023-new-who-report-highlights-progress-but-also-remaining-gaps-in-ensuring-a-robust-pipeline-of-antibiotic-treatments-to-combat-antimicrobial-resistance-(amr)

In News: According to a new report launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), global plastic pollution can be reduced by 80% by 2040 if countries and companies make deep policy and market shifts using existing technologies and shift to a circular economy.

About the UNEP Report:

• The report, titled “Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy”, has been launched ahead of a second round of negotiations on a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution to be held in Paris.
• The report urged governments and businesses alike to adopt a circular economy approach for tackling the problem of plastic pollution.
• The circular economy is an economic system where means of production are organized around reusing and recycling inputs to facilitate a sustainable and environment-friendly mode of production.

Key Highlights of the Report:

• The report urged countries to eliminate unnecessary and problematic plastic uses and make three market shifts i.e. reuse, recycle, and reorient and diversify.
• The reports suggested setting and implementing design and safety standards for disposal of non-recyclable plastic waste, and making manufacturers responsible for products shedding microplastics.
• Shift to a circular economy would result in $1.27 trillion in savings, considering costs and recycling revenues, and a further $3.25 trillion from avoided externalities such as health, climate, air pollution, marine ecosystem degradation etc.
• The shift could also result in a net increase of 700,000 jobs by 2040.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes could be used to cover for operational costs of ensuring the system’s circularity by requiring producers to finance the collection, recycling, and responsible end-of-life disposal of plastic products.

The report recommended a global fiscal framework could be part of international policies to enable recycled materials to compete on a level playing field with virgin materials.
Source:https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/go-circular-to-end-plastic-pollution-unep-report-urges-ahead-of-global-meet-89377

In News: Banks have sought a one-year extension from the RBI for implementation of the Expected Credit Loss (ECL)-based loan loss provisioning framework.

About the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) provisioning framework:

• Loan loss provisioning refers to the practice of setting aside funds by banks to cover potential losses arising from loans that may default or become unrecoverable.
• Currently, banks are required to make loan loss provisions based on “incurred loss” approach. This means that loan loss provisioning happens much later, which can lead to an increase in credit risk for banks and overstates the income generated by banks.
• RBI had proposed a new system in January 2023, based on the expected credit loss approach for credit impairment.
• Under the ECL norms, banks will be required to classify financial assets-primarily loans, including irrevocable loan commitments, and investments classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale- into one of the three categories – Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3.
• The categorization will be done depending upon the assessed credit losses on them, at the time of initial recognition as well as on each subsequent reporting date and make necessary provisions.
• The ECL approach will enhance the resilience of the banking system in line with globally accepted norms and is likely to result in excess provisions as compared to shortfall in provisions as seen in the incurred loss approach.
• The RBI also proposed to introduce a transitional arrangement for the introduction of ECL norms in order to avoid a capital shock.

Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/banks-request-rbi-for-more-time-to-implement-new-ecl-based-loan-loss-provisioning-norms-8613283/

In News: The Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023 (GRID-2023) stated that the overall internal displacement in 2022 was 20% higher than the 2021 figures and is the highest number ever recorded.

About the GRID-2023

• GRID-2023, published by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), is the world’s leading source of data and analysis on Internal Displacement.
• IDMC is an International NGO established in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council in Geneva. It is focused on monitoring and providing information and analysis on the world's internally displaced persons.
• Internal displacement refers to people forced to move inside their own borders and the report did not consider those who left for different countries.
• The 2023 edition sheds light on the significant increase in the number of people displaced by disasters in 2022 and the complex relationships between disasters, conflict and violence, food security and ID.

Key Highlights of the report:

• The number internally displaced reached a record high of 1 million across 110 countries and territories out of which 62.5 million displaced due to conflict and violence, and 8.7 million as a result of disasters.
• Country wise displacements:
  • Pakistan had the highest number of disaster displacements in the world in 2022, at 16 million.
  • Philippines was ranked second with 5.44 million displacements
  • China ranked third with 3.63 million. India witnessed 4^th largest displacements with 2.5 million and Nigeria ranked 5^th with 2.4 million
• Reasons for displacement:
  • Increase in disasters, particularly weather-related, is largely the result of the effects of triple dip La Niña which continued for a third consecutive year.
  • The Russia-Ukraine war caused a displacement of 9 million, the highest figure ever recorded for any country.

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/unusually-long-la-ni-a-displaced-record-number-of-people-in-2022-89247

Why in news? Recently, The Centre has appointed Ravneet Kaur as the first woman chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

About:

• Competition Commission of India (CCI) was established by Central Government in 2003 as a statutory body under Competition Act, 2002.
• Composition:
• The Commission consists of one Chairperson and six Members who shall be appointed by the Central Government.
• Eligibility criteria of members of CCI:
• The Chairperson and every other Member shall be a person of ability, integrity and standing and who, has been, or is qualified to be a judge of a High Court, or, has special knowledge of, and professional experience of not less than fifteen years in international trade, economics, business, commerce, law, public affairs etc. or in any other matter which, in the opinion of the Central Government, may be useful to the Commission.

Objective:

• To prevent practices having adverse effect on competition.
• To promote and sustain competition in markets.
• To protect the interests of consumers.
• To ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.
• CCI is an affiliated office with Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/ravneet-kaur-is-new-chairperson-of-competition-commission-of-india/cid/1937454

Why in news? Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has relaxed norms for 'surety bonds' to expand surety insurance market by increasing availability of such products. About:

• A surety bond is a legally binding contract entered into by three parties—the principal, the obligee, and the surety.
• The obligee, usually a government entity, requires the principal, typically a business owner or contractor, to obtain a surety bond as a guarantee against future work performance.
• Surety bond is provided by the insurance company on behalf of the contractor to the entity which is awarding the project.
• Surety bonds are mainly aimed at infrastructure development, mainly to reduce indirect cost for suppliers and work-contractors thereby diversifying their options and acting as a substitute for bank guarantee.
• Surety bonds protect the beneficiary against acts or events that impair the underlying obligations of the principal. They guarantee the performance of a variety of obligations, from construction or service contracts to licensing and commercial undertakings.

https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/getting-surety-bonds-ready/3090316/

Why in news? Recently, Ministry of Communications launched a Citizen Centric Portal named Sanchar Saathi Portal to fulfill vision of safe and secure communication under Digital India programme.

About:

• The Sanchar Saathi portal is an initiative launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India to help people locate and block their lost or stolen mobile phones.
• It is part of the government's efforts to promote digital literacy and secure digital transactions in India.
• Sanchar Saathi portal will enable citizen with following three modules.
• Centralized Equipment Identity Register (CEIR): for tracing/blocking of lost/stolen mobile devices.
• Know your mobile connections: to check number of mobile connections taken in a subscriber’s name.
• ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification): to identify fraudulent subscribers.
• The portal and its reforms aim to enhance transparency, security, and accountability in the telecom sector.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/how-to-use-sanchar-saathi-portal-to-track-and-block-your-lost-smartphone-in-india/slideshow/100298656.cms

Why in news? Recently, Assam government commenced an eviction drive to clear "encroachment" in Burha Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district.

About:

• Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary is located on south bank of Brahmaputra under Sonitpur district, Assam.
• It forms an integral part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori eco-system and is a notified buffer of the Kaziranga Tiger reserve.
• The area was declared a Reserved Forest in 1974, it became a sanctuary in 1995.
• It comprises of a mosaic of wet alluvial grassland, riparian and semi-evergreen forests dotted by wetland and river systems.
• It is considered to be an ideal habitat for the Bengal florican.
• Fauna: Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pig, and elephants.

https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/assam-himanta-biswa-sarma-government-begins-eviction-drive-to-clear-encroachment-in-bura-chapori-wildlife-sanctuary-in-sonitpur/cid/1916457

Why in news? Recently, A tribal council's decision not to grant a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate to any Khasi person who takes her, or his father's surname has sparked an open war in matrilineal Meghalaya.

About:

• Khasis are one of the three indigenous matrilineal communities in Meghalaya.
  • Other such communities are Jaintias and Garos.
• Khasis follow a matrilineal system of inheritance and youngest daughter, or “Ka Khadduh” is eligible to inherit the property.
• The Khasi tribe has a rich and diverse culture, with a strong connection to nature and their ancestral land.
• Khasis are now mostly Christians but before that, they believed in a Supreme Being, The Creator – U Blei Nongthaw.
• Their festivals include Nongkrem Dance and Shad Suk Mynsiem.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/row-over-adopting-fathers-surname-in-matrilineal-meghalaya/article66856681.ece

Why in news? Recently, Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps, along with other disaster management groups, conducted a joint flood relief drill, 'Exercise Jal Rahat', at Hagrama Bridge on Manas River in Assam.

About:

• The aim of the exercise was to boost flood relief preparedness ahead of the monsoon floods in the state and coordinate preparedness by multi-agency flood relief columns.
• Alongside the Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps, personnel from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and police representatives participated in the exercise.
• The event included coordination and rehearsals for the rescue missions of people from inundated areas by joint efforts of specialist teams.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/exercise-jal-rahat-indian-army-ndrf-hold-drill-at-assam-river-bridge-ahead-of-monsoon-2380083-2023-05-16